Thompson Okanagan

photo credit: Dave Silver

Sagebrush, ponderosa pine, lakes and trails are bound together by a local love for gourmet food and wine.

My roots are in the Thompson Okanagan and it may be the most diverse region I’ve ever ridden my mountain bike! From world-class bike parks and deep lush forest single-track epics to open high-speed desert ripping, the region has everything to satisfy the most voracious mountain biker’s appetite. I hope to one day re-locate to this region and spend my days exploring this vast network!

Wade Simmons

Professional Freeride Mountain Biker

The Thompson Okanagan region is in the fertile southern interior of British Columbia. It’s famous for its orchards, vineyards, grasslands and deserts.

The history and culture of the Thompson Okanagan region is strongly tied to the land, known for its nutrient-rich growing soil. Rolling mountain terrain meets cool, freshwater lakes in the valleys and offers the ultimate respite on a warm day. The seemingly infinite trails here are celebrated for being fast and fun.

Kamloops (a.k.a. “The Loops”) is recognized as the epicentre of freeride mountain biking in Canada and boasts a list of homegrown athletes that have made it to the world stage. The Shuswap area offers more than 400 km of trail for every type of rider, many of which connect the communities around Shuswap Lake. Vernon has everything from steep, technical descents to family-friendly rides in grassy meadows. Kelowna is the major centre for the Okanagan and home to a diverse mix of riding, from fast singletrack to wide open rail trails. Penticton is the southern cousin sandwiched between two lakes and surrounded by hills filled with sweet flowing ribbons of earth.

The region also boasts two of North America’s top lift-access bike parks. Sun Peaks, just north of Kamloops, hosts national and international mountain biking events and features a new high alpine trail that flaunts a phenomenal view. Silver Star, near Vernon, has quickly become a sought-after destination, known for its uncompromising trail crew that has set the standard for fun and flow.

Kamloops

Let Loose in the Loops…bSome of the best mountain biking in BC awaits you in Kamloops, at Sun Peaks Resort and the Kamloops Bike Ranch. From classic singletrack to high-speed alpine downhill and rigorous technical challenges to one of Canada’s most technically advanced municipal bike parks, it’s all right here.

Merritt

Penticton

The past few years has seen a local boom in trail and bridge upgrades, signage and extensive mapping, plus growing clubs and guiding services so you can go it on your own, or join a local for a personalized tour.

Shuswap

Beautiful, casual, down-to-Earth: Shuswap riding is a real [re]treat…A traditional meeting place for the Secwepemc first peoples, Canada’s Shuswap region is where water and wilderness, people and mountain bikes come together.

Crystal clear blue skies and our gorgeous snow-capped peaks form the backdrop for your epic and unforgettable summer vacation in Valemount. Reel in a rainbow trout, wind through our trails from the saddle of ATV, or let a horse show you the way — however you decide to travel through the Robson Valley, you’re certain to create a memory around every turn.

Vernon

Make it yours for mountain biking…Vernon is emerging as a new mountain biking destination. Located in the North Okanagan, Vernon shares the enviable lifestyle of other Okanagan communities – beaches and peaches - but has the added benefit of having great hillsides and mountains right next to the city.

Inspirational Trips

Penticton’s mountain bike scene has always been healthy and vibrant, but like its residents, it has preferred to be more riding and building, with less talking and show. Despite this, word has spread about it’s 4 distinct and extensive trail networks. Each of these being unique to each other with different terrain styles, and ability levels. Conveniently all trail networks in Penticton are mere minutes riding time from the city centre. The headliner is the legendary Three Blind Mice trail network which has hosted the BC Enduro Series 3 out of the past 4 years. One year being a double-day with so many trails to sample.

It happened almost like clockwork. The shadows grew long as the light softened, a cool breeze bloomed from between the trees, and we gathered at Sun Peaks Resort to celebrate the changing of the seasons during Peaks Pedal Fest this Labour Day Weekend.

The BC DH Championships and second stop on the BC Cup circuit roared through Sun Peaks Resort this past weekend, bringing with it some of Canada’s fastest riders. With forest fires ablaze throughout the northwest, fortune smiled over the resort on race day with a...

Tales of loam infested trails, steep chutes, and rock slabs tantalized me from afar. Sure, we have great mountain biking where I come from; there are more miles of singletrack and bike parks in Colorado than you can shake a stick at. But there was still something missing in my repertoire of riding. Something that you can’t find in the lower 48— wild, raw, and bonafide singletrack that takes you from the highest peaks down to the clearest lakes. Linking up the best trails in four destinations would typically be a challenge for a newcomer to weave together a seamless itinerary in less than a week. But jumping on board the Trans BC Enduro stage race provided the framework for a grand tour of Interior BC.